South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-10-21
A WONDERFUL CASE.
A Man Supplied With Artificial
Vocal Organs.
An Ingenious Substitute for a
Lost Larynx.

The New York Sun OF recent date
says: One of the most remarkable opcr-
ations in the history of surgery is now
being performed at tho New York hos
pital by DIR. Bull, ono of Americas most
noted surgeons. lie has removed a
mans larynx and vocal organs, and is
now perfccting machines whereby the
patient will be able to ariiculate in a
loud voice.
About six months ago William Will
son, an engineer of Newburgh, n. Y,
who is undergoing this painful but
heroic operation, experienced n diff
Guilty in breathing. He thought at first
that it was some throat affection caused
by cold, Lut the trouble increased AT
such n rate that he felt it expedient to
come to New York and consult DIR. Bull.
1t is fortunate that he did, for had he
delayed two days he would have been a
dead man. As it was, he was in danger
of suffocation.
DR.. Bull thought that Mr. Wilson was
suffering from papillary growth in the
larynx, the same disease that the crown
prince of Germany was under treatment
In England for. The operation of ira
cheotomy was performed by cutting an
orifice IN his windpipe and passing a
silver tube into the lungs, thus allowing
the man to breathe through this me-
dunn. When it was necessary to feed
him, this opening was plugged up with
rubber cork. The larynx was also
opened at this time, scrapcd out and
cauteriZed.
Mr.. Wilson went home apparently in
good health and experiencing no diff
Guilty with his new breathing machinery.
He did not enjoy his freedom from pain
very long, however, for he returned In
three weeks with his throat in a worse
condition than Mt first The wound was
opened and piece of the papillary
growth examined under q microscope
1t was learned that Mr.. Wilson was suf-
fering from cancer OF the larynx. DIR.
Bull then decided to remove the whole
larynx, and with the assistance of DIR.
Weir five weeks ago performed a most
successful operation. Mr.. Wilson, who
Is man sixty-two years of age, stood
the ordeal bravely, but it was decided
to put him under the influence of eth r.
The surgeons cut an incision down
the median line of the neck perpendicu-
larry over what is known as Adams APP
pie. The wound being we'll spongcd,
the delicate task of removing two inches
OF the mans larynx was then under
taken. 1t was cut off Just above the
trachca and below the cpiglottis, and
the piece removed. 1t resembles in al
cohol piece OF macaroni half as large
rs a mans thumb, and about as long.
The wound was packed with an anti
septic dressing that stopped the flow of
blood and tended to heal the cut. Food
was then administered to him by means
of hard rubber tube passing into the
mouth, through the Gsophagus and into
was attached to the tracheal tube on the
inside of the orifice in his throat. This
tube passed upward into the back part
oil the mouth, partly filling the cavity
that was formerly occupied by the
larynx.
After this tube was put into his mouth
Mr.. Wilson could talk with his tongue
and lips, but his articulation was very
faint. Then after this tube was inserted
1t was necessary to put plug in the
upper end of the tube whenever he
wished to eat; for without n plug his
food, instead of following the natural
channel to the stomach. would lodge in
the tube. DIR. Bull thcreupon inserted n
rubber ball that closely fitted the orifce
This accomplished the desired result in
that direction. Then the plug was with
drawn from the other. or trachcal tube,
thereby allowing the man to breathe and
eat at the same time.
Having performed these astonishing
operations so successfully, DR. Bull
thought he would go further and pro-
vide the man with q talking apparatus.
seeing that he had cut away all his vocal
organs. He is accomplishing his purpose
in wonderfully clever manner, mas
much rs he has made hollow plug to fit
the tube that runs into the mouth. In
this hollow plug n reed identical 20 the
little tongue Of metal that vibrates in n
harmonica is placed and fastened with
great care in such n manner that II will
vibrate and cause a distinct tone whcn
the outer orificc is closed and the air
drawn into the mouth, through the two
jointed tulcs into the lungs, and from
the lungs expelled in the same manner.
The doctor is experiencing some
trouble in fitting this reed. but thinks
that in n weeks time Mr.. Wilson can
talk rs well rs he ever could. though his
tone will be changed, that, Of course.
taking the tone and pitch Of the reed.
Mr.. Wilson will not have 90 learn 10
talk again, but doubtless will surpris,
himself when hi' ncw voice gets into
good working order New reeds can he
put in Mt any time that Mr.. Wilson's
voice fails him, but one reed properly